Oilers Land Hobey Baker Winner Isaac Howard in Bold Trade Move
In a major move that’s turned heads across the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers have acquired one of college hockey’s brightest young stars — Isaac Howard — from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The trade was officially announced Tuesday, with Howard, the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner, heading to Edmonton in exchange for forward prospect Sam O’Reilly. And just like that, Howard signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers, setting the stage for what could be a breakout NHL debut season.
Howard, just 21 years old, has already made a name for himself as an electric forward with undeniable skill and poise. This past season at Michigan State, he racked up 52 points (26 goals and 26 assists) in only 37 games — a stat line that not only earned him the Hobey Baker as the top player in men’s NCAA hockey but also put him firmly on the radar of NHL teams looking for immediate impact talent.
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Ironically, after winning the prestigious award, Howard had initially expressed his intent to return to college for one more season. “I didn’t play to win a Hobey. I want to win a national championship,” he said at the time. But plans clearly shifted quickly — and dramatically.
For the Oilers, this is a win-now move. While Sam O’Reilly, who had a solid 71-point season with the London Knights, is certainly a strong prospect, he’s a few years out from being NHL-ready. Howard, on the other hand, is ready today. He brings speed, confidence, and skill to the table — attributes Edmonton is banking on as they look to stay in Stanley Cup contention.
Scouting reports on Howard have consistently praised his skating, stick-handling, and high hockey IQ. He’s the type of player who plays with pace, creates space, and makes his teammates better — a valuable asset for any franchise, let alone one with elite talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The Oilers have made it clear: they’re not waiting for the future — they’re building for right now. With the additions of Matt Savoie, Andrew Mangiapane, and now Isaac Howard, Edmonton is shaping up to be faster, more dangerous, and much deeper offensively than they were just weeks ago.
This trade may very well be remembered as a defining moment for both Howard and the Oilers. If the young forward delivers on his promise, this could be one of those deals that fans in Edmonton look back on as the spark that ignited something special.
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